Re: run away! run away!

In a message dated 7/12/99 9:13:50 AM EST, edens@mindspring.com writes:

<< 
 Perhaps it's doctrine.  Way back in the age of sail the French
(wishy-washy
 buggers that they were) commonly surrendered the "weather gage" to
 opponents, meaning that they chose to fight downwind.	The other side
(ie
 the RN) held the initiative and could sail down to attack.  French
tactics
 called for attempting to cripple the enemy on the approach,  >>

Don't forget that being down wind allowed the French ships' engaged side
to 
be firing at much longer ranges, because the ship was heeled over and
the 
guns were more elevated by the wind's force against the sail. Thus the
French 
ship could open fire much earlier than the ship intending to force the
issue. 
Conversely the wind gage was an advantage only while you held it, and
was 
given up once you engaged closely.